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A Rare Starr Arms Carbine From the Civil War and the West; Captain James Henry Tempest The Starr carbines were made in a li...
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Sold on Jun 24, 2007 for:
$3,107.00
Bid Source: Live: Floor bidder
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Description
A Rare Starr Arms Carbine From the Civil War and the West; Captain James Henry Tempest The Starr carbines were made in a limited supply for the Union Army by Eben T. Starr of Yonkers, New York. In .54 caliber, these cavalry carbines were re-issued for use in the Indian Wars following the Civil War. Captain James Henry Tempest, an Army captain who fought in the Indian War campaigns throughout Utah, Wyoming and Idaho took this rifle home with him where it has descended through his family to us today. The story of his service is made more remarkable due to his family relationship to a noted figure in Civil War history.Captain Tempest's daughter married Lewis Norman Ellsworth, the nephew of Colonel Elmer Ellsworth, the first Union officer killed in the Civil War. Colonel Ellsworth was shot by an innkeeper as he hauled down a Confederate flag still flying over a hotel in Alexandria, Virginia at the very start of the war. This rifle was passed down through Lewis Norman Ellsworth's family to his grandson Colonel Steve Ellsworth who has made it available for this sale.
While rare in itself, the story of the association with Colonel Ellsworth of Civil War fame makes this percussion breech-loading .54 caliber carbine even more attractive. At 37" in length it was the perfect saddle gun equipped with a saddle ring, metal butt plate and locking lever at the trigger guard. Considering its record of usage, this gun is in very good condition with the lever action working perfectly. The wood stock and forearm, again while showing wear, have no chips missing and have scratches and wear appropriate for the use in the Civil War and Indian Wars. Serial numbered "33362", the maker's name appears at the breech as follows: "Starr's Patent, Sept. 14th 1858".
This carbine has a great history and is a rare find. It functions perfectly and was fired by the current owner's grandfather for many years as he told the story of his famous relative during the Civil War and his direct descendant from the Indian Wars. It will make a great addition to a Civil War/Indian War collection.
Provenance: The Ellsworth Family Collection
Auction Info
2007 June Civil War Grand Format Auction #663 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2007
24th-25th
Sunday-Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 2,983
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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